F/A-18C Functional Checkflight

Starting conditions
Wings folded
Internal fuel tanks 10000 lb
Normal start IAW checklist
Comments
Bingo Check
Set 200 lbs above internal
Check Bingo alert
Set 200 lbs below internal
Check Bingo alert off
AC Controls Check
Select FCS DDI display
Check Ailerons Xd out
Wings extend and lock
Check wingfold advisory and annunciator
Spin Recovery Mode Check
Flaps Auto
Spin recovery switch RCVY
Check DDI SPIN MODE ENGAGED
Check FCS for LEF DOWN 33 and TEF UP 0
Spin recovery switch NORM
Check Trim, Park Brake, Flaps and Seat cautions
Stabilator less than 12 NU
Advance throttles forward, do not exceed 75%
CK FLAPS warning
PARK BRAKE warning
CHECK TRIM warning
CHECK SEAT warning
Trim Check
Flaps Half
Trim set to full up and left
T/O Trim Button
Press until advisory displayed
Check ailerons and rudders return to neutral
Check stabilator returns to 12 NU
Canopy operation check
Canopy open and check CANOPY caution
Canopy close and check caution extinguished
Inflight refueling probe cycle
Check full extend or full retract in 6 seconds
Speedbrake cycle
check speedbrake cycles in 3 seconds maximum
Speedbrake light is on anytime speed brake not fully retracted
Launch bar functional check. check advisory and cautions
Trim advisory check - launchbar extended
 Stabilator less than 13 NU
Advance throttles forward, do not exceed 75%
CHECK TRIM caution - ON
Launchbar retract
Hook check
Hook Cycle
Hook extends in max 3 seconds
Hook retracts in max 6 seconds
Brakes check
Anti Skid switch
Check SKID advisory on when switch off
Check SKID advisory off when switch on

Shorebased Takeoff Checks

Heading checks
HIS heading within 3 of known runway heading
STBY compass within limits of compass card
Engine run-ups. Perform individually
Throttle affected engine from idle to mil
N1 and EGT check as function of inlet temp (T1) per fig. 10-1
ENG page - check engines at MIL
N1 - 94 to 103%
N2 - 92 to 102%
EGT - 715 to 830
FF - 6000 to 9000 pph
NOZ - 0 to 57%
OIL PRESS - 95 to 180 psi
FUEL TEMP - 78 max
Takeoff
Perform afterburner T/O
Ensure both nozzles open
Ensure landing gear retract in 7 secs max
Check HUD and radar altimeter indications in climb to 5000'
Above 5000', HUD R changes to flashing B, radar altimeter OFF

Low altitude 10000 feet checks

FCS RIG checks
Stabilize at each airspeed, trimmed to center. Release controls
from wings level and record direction of roll-off and AOB
at end of 6 seconds
200 KCAS
300 KCAS
400 KCAS
500 KCAS
550 KCAS
RIG fails if any AOB > 30 (> 5 per sec)
Throttle checks. Perform individually
 Level at 10000 feet and mach 0.75
Throttle idle to max, afterburner within 10 secs
Throttle max to idle, pause 3 secs, idle to max
Afterburner within 10 secs, no stalls, stagnation, etc.

Medium Altitude 15000 feet checks

Fuel dump check
Flight control damping
Maintain 300 to 350 KCAS
Make small, abrupt pitch, roll, and yaw inputs
Check aircraft response appropriate
Check no oscillation tendencies
ACFS Check
At 350 KCAS, 15000 feet, AOB < 5, engage AP
Check aircraft maintains heading
Attitude hold
Bank aircraft left 45, check aircraft maintains attitude
Bank aircraft right 45, check aircraft maintains attitude
Input 10 pitch, check aircraft maintains attitude
Heading Select
Use HDG set switch to select 30 left heading
Select HSEL and check heading captured and established
Use HDG set switch to select 30 right heading
Select HSEL and check heading captured and established
Barometric altitude hold
Select BALT during a 4000 fpm climb
Check that altitude is captured and maintained
Select BALT during a 4000 fpm descent
Check that altitude is captured and maintained
ATC cruise mode
Engage ATC between 300 and 350 KCAS
Check airspeed maintained in level flight and banked turns
Perfom negative G check for FOD

High altitude 30000+ feet checks

Throttle transients check, perform individually
Level at 35000 feet and 200-220 KCAS
Throttle idle to max, afterburner within 15 secs
Throttle max to idle, pause 3 secs, idle to max
Afterburner within 15 secs, no stalls, stagnation, etc.
Speed run/RPM lock up
Above mach 1.23, retard throttles to idle
Check RPM drop no more than 10% below MIL RPM
Static radome check
Laterally and directionally trim neutral - centered ball/no rates
Check altitude greater than 30,000 feet AGL
Slow to 30-35° AOA unaccelerated flight, stabilize wings level
 Note initial heading
Continue deceleration by smoothly applying full aft stick,
keeping neutral pedal and lateral stick
(approximately 2 sec from 35° AOA to full aft stick)
Hold full aft stick for 5 sec; do not counter roll and yaw
Observe yaw/roll rates, observe final heading

Descent to landing checks

Automatice Speedbrake retraction check
Extend speedbrake
Extend flaps and check speedbrake retracts
Landing gear warning check
Below 7500 feet, reduce speed to 175 kts, descent > 250 fpm
Check gear handle warning and tone
AOA tone check
Flaps half or full, increase AOA to 15
Check AOA tone at 12 for full and at 15 for half
Flaps auto retract
Increase airspeed to 250 kts
Check amber flap light and auto retraction

After landing
Antiskid check
Above 75 kts, apply full brake pressure
Check braking is smooth with no side pull tendencies